Peaslee's New Principal: "Mandates Pose Challenges, as Well as Have Positive Impact"

This year, students at the Peaslee School will see a new face in the "head of the school's" office; Mary Ryan will be interim principal, taking over for , who took a position in Littleton.

An eductor since 1964, Mary Ryan started her career in Boylston, where she went from classroom teacher to principal in her 23 years there. She spent five years running a private preschool on the Cape, then became the principal in Southbridge for six years. The Southbridge run led into another 14 years as principal of the Mary Finn School in Southborough, which she retired from last year. 

When Superintendent of Schools Charles Gobron gave Ryan a call asking her to step in as principal at Peaslee, she was happy to accept.

"I have been an adjunct professor for American International College for five  years teaching and supervising aspiring school administrators," said Ryan. "Now I am happy to be spending the year at Peaslee as an Interim Principal. My hope is to provide stability to the staff and guide them as we reflect on the great things that are happening at Peaslee and discuss some of the new initiatives for continued growth."

As a person long involved in local school system, and in different roles, Ryan has seen the changes in society that have been reflected in education.

"I think in the past few years we have many mandates being put in place that certainly have some positive impact on student learning, but also some serious monetary challenges," said Ryan. "Another exciting area is the way brain research has impacted teaching practices and the use of student assessments to drive instructional practices."

Beginning her career in a K through grade 5 school, Ryan is looking forward to the grade alignment again.

"I have worked collaboratively with other principals who have the same grade alignment. I am excited to interact with the students from kindergarten through grade 5."